Reviews - The Last Question

508 reviews for:

This story single-handedly caused me a month-long existential dread spiral in high school. It's short and gets right to the point and has understandably been beloved by scifi readers for generations at this point. Unfortunately, Elon Musks exists and he thinks he's going to make the multivac someday and literally become God. So we have to deal with the stupidest people of all time thinking this story is some sort of origin story or Reddit bible. Regardless, the swift pace and execution of such a simple idea is impressive and appreciated. One of the best ten-minute reads you can treat yourself to as a scifi fan.

cresswellovr's review against another edition

4.0

mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

williamharwood's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

asapyeezy's review against another edition

4.5

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

So relevant in the current age of Artificial Intelligence

bingbongbeepbeep's review against another edition

3.0

TIL about entropy and how to explain it in layman's terms, real big brain energy ya know. I loved that the trigger for a scientist is the word "forever"; the gaslight vibes in the first excerpt was very entertaining (does that make me toxic or does that mean the storytelling was engaging, help a girl out). Anyway, I feel like this is what draws me to science fiction. Question seeking and he desire of wanting to know, but also understanding that oblivion is inevitable; it's the heart pang energy for me. But for real though, I swear at the end of the family excerpt, I could feel the fear of the father's emotions.

merlandese's review against another edition

3.0

Such a short and easy read, it's not really worth writing too much about. But I will.

This story follows the growth of the human species as it expands into the universe. The species brings alongside it a single, unanswerable question about the inevitable death of everything. In a way it's slightly existential, although ideas of purpose are never addressed. Humanity seems content simply existing and expanding until it can't. There is, however, a sense of "God" in this, and an idea of Creation, although not deeply.

It's worth a check.